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New findings into conquering influenza

29 Jan 13

Researchers
from the University of Melbourne and The Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute (WEHI) have discovered a new protein that protects against
viral infections such as influenza.

As
influenza spreads through the northern hemisphere winter, Dr Linda
Wakim and her colleagues in the Laboratory of Professor Jose Villadangos
from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, believe they have a new clue
to why some people fight infections better than others.

The lab
has been investigating the 'defensive devices' contained within the
T-cells that are located on exposed body surfaces such as skin and
mucosal surfaces to ward off infection. T-cells detect cells
infected with viruses and kill them before the virus can reproduce
within the infected cell and spread to other cells.

Researchers
found these cells contain the protein IFITM3 and this makes them more
resistant to viral infections such as Influenza. The findings have been
published in Nature Immunology.

“If we learn how to increase the
number and longevity of T-cells expressing IFITM3, this could lead to
improved vaccines that promote the generation of more resistant T-cells
able to provide the greatest protection, for longer.” Professor
Villadangos said.

Dr Wakim said “We are currently trying to
understand why some T-cells and not others express this protective
molecule. Probably they encounter some form of chemical signal (a
cytokine, or a surface molecule) in the tissues where they lodge, which
induces the expression of IFITM3. If we identify these chemical cues, we
may be able to include them in future vaccines.”